Roberto De Zerbi has signed a five-year deal at Tottenham to become one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League.
The Italian’s primary aim will be to avoid relegation, and if they manage to do so, the upcoming summer could define the course of their future.
Tottenham have given De Zerbi a bit of a free reign at the club in terms of recruitment and squad building, which is a sign that they are really backing him.
However, recent links with Andy Robertson are proof that their teething recruitment issues are set to continue well into the De Zerbi era.
Robertson not what Tottenham need right now
Before we go any further, it is important to acknowledge that Robertson is an absolute legend of the game.
Since moving to Liverpool from Hull City, the irrepressible left-back has won everything there is to win in club football and become a modern-day great for Scotland as he prepares to lead them at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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However, after giving his heart and soul to the Anfield faithful for nine years, he is set to leave on a free transfer.
To be quite frank, Robertson has a bit of football left in him. But his powers are starting to wane, with Milos Kerkez replacing him as Liverpool’s first-choice left back.
With Destiny Udogie, Souza and Ben Davies already at the club and the likes of Archie Gray and Pedro Porro also capable of playing at left-back, it’s hard to see where Robertson slots in.
One silver lining is that his personality and leadership could help a Tottenham squad that has desperately lacked direction this season, with the Scotsman expected to become a part of De Zerbi’s leadership group.
Tottenham need to build for the future
Tottenham were renowned for their recruitment, particularly under Mauricio Pochettino.
Granted, they have got the odd one right with the likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in recent seasons, but those are the kind of players Tottenham need to target in the upcoming transfer windows.
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Robertson would well have some kind of a second wind under De Zerbi and it goes without saying that he could be a decent squad option at the very least.
However, left-back isn’t a problematic area of the pitch at Hotspur Way, while it’s hard to unanimously accept the imminent arrival of a player who has just turned 32.
Tottenham have done well to get De Zerbi on board and give him a massive role in terms of squad planning. The Italian has the keys, but does he know how to drive?
